Portable toy fence.



Patented Aug. 5, I902.

'YUUSE.

C. J. YOUSE, 18., J. E. YDUSE &. L. A.

wae 6068 d.

cal O Qttozmzgo PORTABLE TOY FENCE.

UNTTF ATENT O FICE.

CHRISTIAN J. YOUSE, JR., JOHN E. YOUSE, AND LOUIS A. YOUSE, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND.

PORTABLE TOY FENCE.

EPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 706,288, dated August 5, 1902.

Application filed May 14, 1902.. Serial No. 107,342. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHRISTIAN J. YoUsE,

Jr., JOHN E. YOUSE, and LOUIS A. YOUSE,

citizens of the United States of America, and 5 residents of 15 North Liberty street, Baltimore, Maryland, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Portable Toy Fences, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in portable toy fences.

The primary object of the invention is to produce a structure capable of ready and easy assembling of the parts and yet permit of the same being folded in a neat and compact form when the fence is not in use.

The improvement also comprehends a structure whereby the ends of the fencepanels are free, but are braced against lateral displacement by posts and the cooperating connecting device used in connection therewith.

\Vith these primary objects in view we will proceed to describe in detail the various parts which enable one skilled in the art to fully understand the merits and operation of our invention.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an inclosure constructed of our improved fence. Fig. 2 is a detail top plan view of a post and the ends of two adjacent fencepanels at right angles. Fig. 3 isa similar View, but showing the application of the invention when a post is employed intermediate two fence-panels arranged in line with each other. Fig. at is a detail side elevation of the invention, showing also a hook or fastening device 2 applied to one of the faces of the post; and Fig. 5 isa detail perspective view of the post shown in Fig. 4, which is adapted to be used either as a corner or intermediate conneoting element.

The numeral 1 indicates a post, preferably square in cross-section to form abutting faces, and 2 a hook or fastening device projecting outwardly therefrom. The hook has its outer end turned down and may be located at the corner, as shown in Fig. 2, or on the face, as

shown in Fig. 3, or both, as shown in Fig. 5,

according to the location and the uses to which the fence is to be put.

The numeral 3 indicates a horizontal link having an opening 4. at or near the center and holes 5 at each end to accommodate the fastening devices.

6 indicates fence-panels, composed of Iongitudinal bars 7 and connecting-bars 8, although any other design may be employed. It is important, however, that the extreme ends of the bars 7 be squared off to a nicety to fit against the faces of the post 1. This is equally true of the sides of the ends of the said bars to cooperate with a post when the improvement is used as disclosed in Fig. 3. The links 3 are pivotally connected to the panels 6 by pins or screws 8 passing through the holes 5, or, if desired, detachable fastenings (not shown) may be employed.

One or more gates 10 are shown interposed in a panel 6, the links 3 forming the hinges therefor. To assemble the parts to form a corner, the adjacent ends of two panels 6 are thrust squarely against the right angular faces of a post 1, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, the pivotal connection at 8'-permitting the panels to be adjusted. These parts having been positioned, the hook2 being over the opening 4: in the link, the post is pushed down until it squarely rests on the base or support on a level with the bottoms of the panels. Hence the link is positively prevented from being laterally displaced in any direction. While when separated a pivotal connection is formed between the link and the panels, such movement is checked when a fence is formed by reason of the ends of the panels being squared off and fitting a corresponding face on the post. Then, again, the hooks 2 hold the panels to the post, so that a rigid and strong fencestructure is made up without any of the parts being permanently fixed to a base or support. The same locking action takes place when the invention is used as an intermediate element in a panel, as shown in Fig. 3. This use of theinvention will be more particularly employed when a long straight fence is desired. In this instance the adjacent ends of the panels are placed alongside a square face of a post and the post and its hook are pushed down in posi tion, as hereinbefore described. By reason of the face of the ends of the bars 7 fitting a similar face of the post the panels cannot be displaced, and as the hook holds the link, hence the panels, lateral displacement is impossible until the hook is released.

It will of course be understood that the invention comprehends the use of a link at both the corners and as an intermediate element between straight panels, or either, this depending on the length and the uses for which the fence is employed.

As a toy our improvement is extremely simple and durable and possesses the decided advantage of having the fastening devices permanently fixed to. the fence structure, insuring the ready assembling of the parts when a fence is desired. Furthermore, the fastening elements may be either used to form a fence-corner or a part of the fence proper, as clearly disclosed in Fig. 1, and the fence when the posts are removed may be folded in both girections, so as to be packed in a suitable What we claim as new is- 1. Aportable fence comprising panels, hori zontal links pivotally connecting the panels, a post, and hooks projecting from the post, said hooks engaging the links, the ends of the panels being seated against the post and held against lateral displacement by the hooks engaging the links, substantially as described.

2. A portable fence comprising panels, horizontal links pivotally connecting the panels, an opening being formed in the links, a post, and hooks projecting from the post, said hooks engaging the openings in the links, the ends of the panels being seated against the post and held against lateral displacement by the hooks engaging the openings in the links, substantially as described.

3. A portable fence, comprising two panels disposed at an angle to each other, links pivotally connected to the panels, a post having faces corresponding to the ends of the panels, the ends of said panels fitting said faces of the post, and hooks projecting from the post, said hooks engaging the links to bind the panels to the post to prevent lateral displacement of the panels, substantially as described.

4. A portable fence comprising a plurality of panels, horizontal links pivotally connecting the panels together, an intermediate post or posts, square faces being provided on the posts, hooks projecting from said post to engage the links of two panels disposed in line with each other, end posts interposed between and at the angle formed between the two end panels, said post being squared off to form faces, hooks projecting from the end posts to engage the links connecting the end panels, the ends of the. panels fitting squarely the faces of the posts to prevent lateral displacement of the said panels, substantially as described.

5. In a portable fence,the combination with two or more panels normally resting on a base or support, of horizontal links pivotally conneoting the panels together, posts interposed between each two adjacent panels, said posts normally resting on the same base or support as the panels, and fastening devices permanently fixed to the posts for engaging the links to bind the panels and posts together, substantially as described.

Signed by us at Baltimore city and State of Maryland this 6th day of May, 1902.

CHRISTIAN J. YOUSE, J R. JOHN E. YOUSE. LOUIS A. YOUSE. Witnesses:

GUSTAVE W. RIDGELY, JOHN C. TUDOR. 

